Thursday, May 19, 2016

   James 5: 1 - 6

    As for you, rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted, your fine wardrobe has grown moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion shall be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. See what you have stored up for yourselves against the last days.  Here, crying aloud, are the wages you withheld from the farmhands who harvested your fields. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You lived in wanton luxury on the earth; you fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You condemned, even killed, the just man; he does not resist you.

Psalm 49: 14 - 20

  This is the way of those whose trust is folly, the end of those contented with their lot: like sheep they are herded into the nether world; death is their shepherd, and the upright rule over them. Quickly their form is consumed; the nether world is their palace. But God will redeem me from the power of the nether world by receiving me.

    Fear not when a man grows rich, when the wealth of his house becomes great, for when he dies, he shall take none of it; his wealth shall not follow him down. Though in his life time he counted himself blessed: "They will praise you for doing well for yourself."  He shall join the circle of his forebears who shall nevermore see light.

Gospel of Mark 9: 41 - 50

  Jesus said to his disciples:

    Any man who gives you a drink of water because you belong to Christ will not, I assure you, go without his reward. But it would be better if anyone who leads astray one of these simple believers were to be plunged in the sea with a great millstone fastened around his neck.

    If your hand is your difficulty, cut it off!  Better for you to enter life maimed than to keep both hands and enter Gehenna with its unquenchable fire. If your foot is your undoing, cut it off!  Better for you to enter life crippled than to be thrown into Gehenna with both feet. If your eye is your downfall, tear it out!  Better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to be thrown with both eyes into Gehenna, where 'the worm dies not and the fire is never extinguished.'  Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is excellent in its place; but if salt becomes tasteless, how can you season it?  Keep salt in your hearts and you will be at peace with one another."